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Spy engineer faces no action

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#1 ·
Spy engineer faces no action
Eurosport - Sat, 08 Mar 21:55:00 2008
Formula One's governing body has said it will take no action against former Ferrari engineer Nigel Stepney for his part in a spy scandal, although it has warned teams it may be inappropriate to employ him.

Ferrari sacked Stepney after accusing him of passing data to suspended McLaren chief designer Mike Coughlan and attempted sabotage.

Last year McLaren were stripped of their constructor points and fined $100 million because of the data affair.

"As Mr. Stepney is not a licence-holder of the FIA, no formal action may be taken against him under the International Sporting Code (though the FIA is co-operating with the Italian police, who are investigating Mr. Stepney's actions)," the FIA said in a statement.

"As a matter of good order, the FIA recommends to its licensees that they do not professionally collaborate with Mr. Stepney without conducting appropriate due diligence regarding his suitability for involvement in international motor sport. This recommendation stands until 1 July 2009."

The statement also said Stepney had admitted being involved and had apologised to the FIA, although he disputed the seriousness and extent of his involvement.

Italian police and a prosecutor in Modena, Ferrari's home province, are conducting a probe into the scandal. Stepney has been interviewed by prosecutor Giuseppe Tibis and police questioned senior McLaren staff at their British homes last month.

Reuters
 
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#3 ·
FIA warns teams over Stepney collaborations

07 Mar 2008
FIA warns teams over Stepney collaborations
The FIA has recommended that teams proceed with caution in any potential collaboration with former Ferrari engineer Nigel Stepney, the man accused of passing confidential information to rivals McLaren in last year’s ‘spy scandal’ affair.

In a statement released Friday, the FIA said Stepney had admitted the allegation, but that he disputed “the seriousness and extent of his involvement”. The FIA went on to explain it is not in a position to take formal action against Stepney, but warned against employing him without first carrying out “appropriate due diligence”.

McLaren were fined $100 million and stripped of their 2007 constructors’ points by the FIA over the affair, which is still the subject of an investigation by Italian police.

The FIA statement in full:
“In its investigations of last year regarding the unauthorised use of intellectual property within Formula One, the FIA heard allegations that Mr. Nigel Stepney, then employed by Ferrari, had passed confidential Ferrari information to an employee of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. Mr. Stepney has admitted this allegation and apologised to the FIA, though he disputes the seriousness and extent of his involvement.

“As Mr. Stepney is not a licence-holder of the FIA, no formal action may be taken against him under the International Sporting Code (though the FIA is co-operating with the Italian police, who are investigating Mr. Stepney's actions). As a matter of good order, the FIA recommends to its licensees that they do not professionally collaborate with Mr. Stepney without conducting appropriate due diligence regarding his suitability for involvement in international motor sport. This recommendation stands until 1 July 2009.”
 
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